[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ELECTRIFY AFRICA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 2016

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support passage of the 
Electrify Africa Act. This bipartisan legislation will build a brighter 
future for more than 600 million Africans by improving their access to 
reliable electricity.
  During the last several decades, development gains in impoverished 
communities throughout the continent have been dramatically undercut by 
prevailing practices for accessing light and cooking fuel--practices 
that have damaged one's health and safety, degraded the environment, or 
have inefficiently used scarce resources.
  By investing in electricity and by encouraging the private sector to 
do the same, this legislation will help save lives, provide education 
and medical services, bolster communities, and improve economic 
development.
  As the Ranking Member of the State Department and Foreign Operations 
Appropriations Subcommittee, I applaud Congress' passage of this 
critical legislation, and I look forward to working with the 
Administration on its implementation.

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